If you aspire to be a nurse, live in the state of Tennessee and would like to break into the field as quickly and easily as possible, training to become a licensed practical nurse may be the answer.
Without question, the most crucial step in the process of becoming an LPN in Tennessee, like in all other states, is completing a training program that is approved by the Tennessee State Board of Nursing. The quality of this training will affect how easily you're able to complete the process, so take your time and consider plenty of options. Below, you will even find recommendations for reputable, approved LPN programs in Tennessee.
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Top LPN Programs in Tennessee
Since your future as an LPN largely depends on the quality of the training that you receive, it is essential to carefully consider only the most reputable options in the state. No matter what, you must select a program this is approved by the Board of Nursing. Otherwise, you will not be eligible to sit for the licensing exam. It is also wise to check a program's pass rates for the NCLEX-PN. Stick with options with pass rates of 95 percent or higher.
Recommendations for reputable LPN programs in Tennessee include:
Chattanooga State Community College
4501 Amnicola Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37406 (866) 547-3733Tennessee College of Applied Technology
1100 Liberty St, Knoxville, TN 37919 (865) 546-5567Tennessee College of Applied Technology
312 S Wilson St, Paris, TN 38242 (731) 644-7365Tennessee College of Applied Technology
355 Scott High Dr, Huntsville, TN 37756 (423) 663-4900Tennessee College of Applied Technology
426 TN-91, Elizabethton, TN 37643 (423) 543-0070Tennessee College of Applied Technology
100 White Bridge Pike, Nashville, TN 37209 (615) 425-5500Tennessee College of Applied Technology
1635 Vo-Tech Dr, Athens, TN 37303 (423) 744-2814Tennessee College of Applied Technology
740 TN-46, Dickson, TN 37055 (615) 441-6220Tennessee College of Applied Technology
821 W Louise Ave, Morristown, TN 37813 (423) 586-5771Tennessee College of Applied Technology
550 Alabama Ave, Memphis, TN 38105 (901) 543-6100Tennessee College of Applied Technology
1745 Harriman Hwy, Harriman, TN 37748 (865) 882-6703Tennessee College of Applied Technology
740 Hi Tech Dr, Livingston, TN 38570 (931) 823-5525Tennessee College of Applied Technology
716 E McMurry Blvd, Hartsville, TN 37074 (615) 374-2147Tennessee College of Applied Technology
1233 E College St, Pulaski, TN 38478 (931) 424-4014Tennessee College of Applied Technology
813 W Main St, Hohenwald, TN 38462 (931) 796-5351Tennessee College of Applied Technology
2468 Technology Center Dr, Jackson, TN 38301 (731) 424-0691Tennessee College of Applied Technology
910 Miller Ave, Crossville, TN 38555 (931) 484-7502Tennessee College of Applied Technology
127 Industrial Dr, Ripley, TN 38063 (731) 635-3368Tennessee College of Applied Technology
1303 Old Fort Pkwy, Murfreesboro, TN 37129 (615) 898-8010The Healthcare Institute
7253 Winchester Rd, Memphis, TN 38125 (901) 244-0844
LPN Programs in Neighboring States:
LPN Licensing Requirements in Tennessee
LPN licensing in Tennessee is overseen and administered by the Tennessee State Board of Nursing. This agency has set forth numerous licensing requirements, and it enforces these requirements as well. By learning the basics of how to become licensed as an LPN in Tennessee, you can achieve this goal more quickly and easily:
- Complete an LPN program that is officially approved by the Tennessee State Board of Nursing. Most of the time, these programs take 12 to 18 months to complete.
- Submit an application for licensure by examination to the Tennessee State Board of Nursing. Along with it, include the licensing fee; a recent headshot — passport style; and official transcripts from your training program. You will also need to complete criminal background check.
- Register for, take and pass the licensing exam for LPNs, the NCLEX-PN. It is administered at test sites around the state on dates throughout the year.
Tennessee belongs to what is known as the Nurse Licensure Compact, or NLC. If you possess a valid multistate LPN license from another NLC state, you may just begin practicing here as an LPN. An endorsement process is also available for those who possess valid licenses from non-NLC states; contact the State Board of Nursing for more info.
In Tennessee, LPN licenses expire every two years. No continuing education is required, but five contact hours of continuing education are one of the 15 requirements that any two must be met from.
Tennessee Board of Nursing
To apply for your LPN license in Tennessee, submit your application and other items to the Tennessee State Board of Nursing. Going forward, you will turn to this agency for renewals, transfers and other matters pertaining to your license, so keep its contact info handy:
Tennessee Board of Nursing
665 Mainstream Dr #2nd, Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: (615) 532-5166
Fax: (615) 741-7899
Website: tn.gov
LPN Salary & Employment Outlook in Tennessee
Compared with becoming a licensed registered nurse, you face much smaller investments of money, time and effort to become an LPN. Still, it means devoting those resources to the effort, so it is smart to confirm that you will not only be able to find jobs after becoming licensed but that those jobs pay enough and offer good benefits.
According to the U.S. Bureau for Labor Statistics, LPNs in Tennessee earn an average salary of $54,530 per year, which is equal to $26.22 per hour. This is lower than the national average annual pay for LPNs, which is $62,340, or $29.97 per hour. However, most regions of Tennessee have low costs of living.
As for employment outlook for LPNs in Tennessee, it is excellent. According to the BLS, the LPN field in the state is expected to grow by a rate of 28 percent between 2014 and 2024. This is much faster than the national growth rate of 16 percent, and it means that for every year during that 10-year period, approximately 1,210 new LPN jobs will become available around the state. Right away and in the future, then, you can breathe easy in the knowledge that you can easily find LPN jobs.
LPN Salaries in Tennessee by Area
Just as salaries for LPNs vary from state to state, they vary widely from one region of Tennessee to another. Study up about job availability and average pay in various regions of Tennessee to get a feel for what to expect:
| Area | Total Employments | Avg. Hourly Wage | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | 4,820 | $28.30 | $58,870 |
| Memphis | 2,860 | $25.70 | $53,460 |
| Knoxville | 2,330 | $24.67 | $51,310 |
| Chattanooga | 1,460 | $26.10 | $54,290 |
| Jackson | 910 | $24.17 | $50,270 |
| Johnson City | 830 | $23.90 | $49,720 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 820 | $24.10 | $50,120 |
| Clarksville | 690 | $26.97 | $56,090 |
| Morristown | 290 | $23.62 | $49,130 |
| Cleveland | 280 | $25.45 | $52,940 |
Are you ready to launch an exciting career in the field of nursing? Find and enroll in an LPN program in Tennessee today!
